Free will

Look at you. You're reading my blog. What made you decide to read my blog? Is it that you and I are somewhat acquainted or related so you feel an obligation or a duty to read my post and determine for yourself what you now think of me? Maybe you find the blog more interesting than listening to your biology professor lecture on the structure of atoms and isomers in a 25 L beaker of water. These could be some of the many possibilities as to why you are now reading this. Now let me entertain another thought for you. Studies have shown that before you clicked to read, or even consciously recognized the choice before you, you chose. Your brain is constantly working and in use. You subconsciously make the decision of what to do before you even know you have the decision. Some of the worlds most renowned scientists argue the fact that we have no real "free will" but that your choices and decision are merely an effect to a cause. A result of the electric activity going on in your brain stimulated by previous events. Thus our lives, no matter what we do, are predetermined.
      Well at least that's what my ethics class wants me to believe. I had a kind of interesting experience today as I sat studying at school. I would read and study my ethics class homework, then take a break and read from a book I'm interested in. The interesting part was that at one point I was reading how scientists want to prove that we have no free will, then for leisure I would read from C.S. Lewis' book "Mere Christianity" stating that all human being are obligated to obey all laws except the law of nature which we choose to disobey. It was almost my two interests and passions fighting each other. On one side, science and health, and on the other spirituality.
      Well, as of now the spirituality took over. Lewis talked of the idea that everyone in the world believes in a right or wrong. If they say they don't, simply break a promise and they will say you are in the wrong for doing so, assuming that there was a standard to be kept. An unspoken law agreed to by both parties that the promise would be kept. This is why we have free will. Naturally we see every being understanding and comprehending this unspoken law. Whether or not they follow it is up to them. Lewis also points out that although we may know of this law we don't always obey it. In fact we disobey it almost every day. We make excuses to not do something because of our extenuating circumstances. We didn't call our friend because we were simply too busy. Broke the rule. How you never would have promised to so-and-so to do that one thing if you would have known how busy you would be at the time. Either way we have all made those excuses and we made a choice to do so, it wasn't simply an electronic impulse to the brain but something deeper.
     Although free will is true, I don't believe it to be free. There was price paid by a perfect man. A man who never made those excuses, a man who on on his way to see a friend who he had promised to see helped others on the way, and when learning about the death of his friend, broke the law of physics to bring him from the dead and fulfill his promise. Choice came with a price, and consequences have been paid for, if we so choose.
     Needless to say I had an exciting study and read today, because I chose to.

What are your thoughts?

The Dilemma

As the time of pens, pencils, and horrible biology teachers comes to an end I find myself in a small dilemma. With the holiday’s sneaking around the corner, and hot chocolate beginning to fill my soul, I ask myself one question. How am I going to go skiing this season?!

It's one of great importance. I haven't flown the powder, or cut through the heavenly substance called snow for some time now. The dilemma is that I can't afford a pass at this time nor do I have the equipment. So I'm left to explore other possibilities to bring my dream to a reality. These include but are not limited to the following.




1) Sell my soul to the devil.

2) Give plasma every day I can, then I may have enough to ski the last day of the season.

3) Sell all my belongings, quit school and get three more jobs. One including scooping up poop behind elephants during the parades. Where I'm going to find a parade in the winter is another dilemma.

4) Invent a bestselling app. possibly including animals skiing, flying or crashing into other animals to solve a puzzle of sorts.

5) Lastly, in a desperate attempt to enjoy the season, I could simply rob a financial institution, blame it on someone’s identity I stole and spend the rest of my life avoiding authorities.

If you have any other ideas, please let me know. Also if you know any deals on skiing I'm game.

Let it snow!

Who Knows How Words Are Formed.

Well, I'm full of turkey goodness, and there's a nice breeze coming in the window. But, before I start thinking of sugar plums and mangers, I want to reflect a little more on the great things that have happened in the last few days of which I'm grateful.

1) I'm grateful for cold weather. Without the cold, sitting cozy with a blanket and a cup of Stephen's Gourmet French Vanilla wouldn't mean nearly as much! All of my winter jackets and sweaters would be obsolete. And, seeing the world pure and white right after a good snowfall would be nonexistent.

2) I'm thankful for jobs that aren't the best. Sure I may get yelled and cussed at a lot while I talk on the phones. I may sound like a drone answering the phone with the same phrase day after day, but at least I'm not scooping up poo. Also, I look forward even more to the time where I can be sitting in my own practice giving sight to the blind.

3) I'm grateful for tools, jerks, and punks. Hey, someone has got to make the good guys look good. We may not get noticed as much, but I feel we're just gaining more and more brownie points to get the best of the best.

 So, this thanksgiving I find myself really finding the best in everything. I don't mean to complain, I just want people to know it's not the end. Have fun. You only live once, so live high and righteously. Life would be so boring if we had all we wanted. Really, who knows what's in store for us. I'm so glad I can't learn it all at once, because then I get to keep learning. If you keep looking down, then you miss all the stars above. Stop being grumpy and just enjoy what you have!

After all, there's only 28 more sleeps till Christmas!!

Old Friends

This last weekend I was reacquainted with a new friend. One I had missed for quite some time. Almost two years to be exact. A real top notch pal. The kind who always makes you feel good no matter what your mood. After a grueling weekend of studies and more studying of the complicated eukaryotic and prokaryotic world, my friend really made my weekend and helped me see that there is more to life than simply studying. Who could have guessed that I would be reunited with him so soon? I didn't even expect it when I called on him late Friday night. Yet I found myself at 11:00 pm going to the Creamery on 9th to meet up again. I only know a few people that don't get a long with him, and that's not really their fault for having a medical condition. Everyone else though can't resist the dark complexion, smooth personality and of course the delicious taste. Oh Creamery Chocolate Milk, how I've missed you!

Summer is here!

Tonight I found myself watching the Taylorsville dayz firework show from my roof. It's one of the best parts of living where we are, we can watch all the neighboring city do their fireworks, from our own roof.
Well the warm summer night and the flashing lights got me thinking of some past 4th of July experiences. Here are a few to note.
Childhood-
I remember always watching Dad set off the pack of fireworks he bought from Macey's. Of course I always wanted to light it and then when I did I found it it's still just as exciting if you don't have to light it. I also remember my sister would be watching it from her room cause she didn't like the loud noises, we kept telling her she was the loud noise.
Of course there were always the home-made ones. Competing against the neighborhood kids as to who could have the loudest M80. Plus we can't forget the giant one, MOAHB what a beauty.
You can't forget the family trip back east. I don't remember the fireworks as much as I remember trying to get back to the car. The minute the last fire work finished burning, the heavens opened and unleashes one of the most powerful rainstorms I've ever experienced. That's why I remember trying to get back to the car before we all got hypothermia.
High School-
Some of the best dates I've been on include watching the Murray Fireworks cuddled up next to a girlfriend. Of course it got a little scary when a nearby tree caught on fire.
Mission-
My first 4th of July was spent in the MTC. We had the "great opportunity" to watch the presidency put on a play about the founding fathers getting their temple work done. The acting was average, so the story saved the show. Afterwards some 3000+ missionaries stood outside the MTC trying to catch a glimpse of the nearby fireworks. My group mainly just played ninjas.
For the one in the field it was about the same as the MTC. Our apartment was too short to really see any fireworks, all we saw was a colorful glow in the sky. We did have fun with some glow sticks in the apartment.
Future-
Who knows what the rest of my 4th's will be like. I hope one time I get to play a night game where the whole baseball diamond is lit up by fireworks. Just a little bucket wish addition.
I'm excited also to see what this year and next bring. I guess I'll just have to wait and see.
All and all I realized today that summer has come. Fireworks, yard work, and hamburgers and hot dogs. All accompanied with Giants baseball. What a great time of year!
What do you remember?

Home

Well, it's done. I can't believe it but I have finished the best 2 years. It was incredible. I see that my parents posted some of my letters here, well they only describe half if that, of what I experienced. If you want the whole story your going to have to ask me. I'd love to tell you!

My parents decided to shock me back into te world by taking me on a week long cruise to Mexico! Personally I think they were just using me for my spanish. Well I had a blast! And well, the stage couldn't keep me away for too long cause on the last night on the boat I was in costume, singing and dancing as... James Brown! A small white kid playing a black guy. There's a first for everything.

As far as now, it's getting on with normal grown up life. I got a job a week after I got back. I do customer service for Propay. Some calls I even take in spanish! I'll be starting school in August. Hopefully starting the journey to become an Optometrist (eye doctor). So in the meant time. I'm looking for a car! I never thought finding a car would be this tough! I'm a little nervous cause the loan is in my name. Which means I actually have to become a responsible adult! Bleh!

Well that's it for now. Pictures coming soon!

Well it has been quite the interesting week here at beautifil beach city Malaga Cove. (The city is actually Torrance, Redondo Beach, and Lomita, but the area is Malaga Cove)

Last monday we had a great dinner/ FHE. It was with the Zimmerman family and the French Family. Bro. French is somewhat investigating the church and has been for awhile. We listened while Sis. Zimmerman talked about CTR and what it stands for. It was really just an oppurtunity to show Bro. French how the gospel is made for the family. After that we checked a less active who actually answered the door and let us in! She had been out of town for a few months and that why neither of us really knew her. The coolest part was when she started talking about the eye disease she has. I don't remember what it's called but she told us of how she has a plastic cornea, and take chemo-drops. I loved listening to her describe the procedures and stuff the doctors had to do. I think I'll be an optometrists just so I can fix mine and her eyes.

Tuesday was pretty good, we did some tracting in the morning but didn't have a whole lot of success. Then we had our lunch appointment with Sis. Duffin. Somehow we started talking about my eye doctor and she was describing where her doctor's office was (cause he's a member) and she said something about Yogurtland and E. Garrett got really excited. Neither of us had been there but had heard that it was a really really really good frozen yogurt place. So when she found out we hadn't been she gathered her kids and car keys and took us. E. Garrett has gone everyday since. Not me cause I had splits, but it is really good. There's only two in the mission and we are lucky to have one in our area. So after yogurt and candy on top, we walked down to have a lesson with Robert & Rita. This was at the Villar home. What a great lesson! We set a baptismal date with them for August 29th. We are now trying to keep them excited about it up until them. We had them write it down and promise they are going to write it on their calenders and everything.

Wednesday we had to do our weekly planning cause we had Zoneconference on thursday, so we didn't have as much time as usual during the day since weekly planning takes 3 hours. However we still got some good done. We had a little scare at dinner, well not even a scare just a funny story. Sis. Bluemel asked us to do the tea bag lesson, but we didn't have any tea bags on us. So she goes and gets her own, which were huge! Anyway we do the lesson as usual and Elder Garrett held it in his hand. Usually we ask whoever were teaching to hold it, this time for some reason I asked E, Garrett. So we light it on fire and watch it burn. If all is right it's supposed to fly up in the air before the flame hits his hand. I don't know if it was the tea bag or just bad luck but it didn't fly up and soon Elder Garrett was getting the flaming bag off his hand as soon as possible. Luckily nothing was burned, except his hand was a little red. It was pretty funny and I'm sure Sis. Bluemel wont let us forget it. I pack tea bags in my bag now, and they are the kind I know will work.